The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG 23, NATO reporting "Flogger, is a Soviet "swing-wing" aircraft, It was the first attempt by the Soviets to use look down/shoot down radar. It is also the first MiG to have air intakes placed at the side of the plane. Many variants have been made, with a total production of over 5000.
Variants[]
- Ye-230: First test aircraft, first flown on april 1967
- Ye-231 Flogger-A: First prottype with variable sweep wing, first flown on June 1967
- MiG-23S Flogger-B: First service capability variant
- MiG-23SM Flogger-B: compareable with MiG-23S, only with four additional pylons
- MiG-23M Flogger-B: first variant that has entered service, new avionics, engines
- MiG-23MR Flogger-B: MiG 23M variant
- MiG-23MS Flogger-E: export variant of the MiG-23M with MiG-21bis-Radar
- MiG-23MF Flogger-B: Another export derivative with not as many changes as on the MiG-23MS
- MiG-23ML Flogger-G: First Multirole derivative with more advanced radar, N-003 (Saphir-23ML), Prototype was the 23-12; look-down/shoot-down-ability
- MiG-23MLG: derivative of the MiG-23ML , Prototype was 23-37
- MiG-23MLS: another derivative of the MiG-23ML, prototype was 23-47
- MiG-23A: not produced carrier variant of the MiG-23ML
- MiG-23K: Not produced derivative with new engine ( R-100 ) and capable for aerial refueling
- MiG-23MLA: MiG-23ML derivative as a tactical fighter, prototype was 23-13
- MiG-23P: MiG-23ML Interceptor version, designed only for aerial combat with new radar, N-006 (Saphir-23PA); Prototype was 23-14
- MiG-23MLD Flogger-K: upgraded MiG-23ML with better aerodynamics, weaponsystems and new avionics, designed to be a multirole fighter, prototype was the 23-18
- MiG-23MLDG: not realised project, with electronic Warfare capabilities; called 23-57
- MiG-23B Flogger-F: Fighter bomber variant, based on MiG-23S, with better armor, new AL-21-F3 engine with 110 kN of thrust, prototype was the 32-24, it was first flown by Alexander Fetodow on February 1971
- MiG-23BN Flogger-H: Export version of the MiG-23B; prototype was the 32-23, with Tumanski-R-29B-300-engine, 624 had been produced
- MiG-23BM Flogger-F: Prototype of the MiG-27,called 32-25
- MiG-23BK Flogger-H: Prototype of the MiG-27K, called 32-26
- MiG-23U Flogger-C: Two seated trainer derivative
- MiG-23U Flogger-C: Armed trainer variant, prototype was the 23-51
- MiG-23UM Flogger-C: Trainer version, based on the MiG-23ML and MiG-23P
- MiG-23-98:
Trivia[]
Some MiG-23s were secretly test flown in the United States with cover designations. Known examples: MiG-23BN "Flogger-F", known as the YF-113B, and the MiG-23MS "Flogger-E", as the YF-113E. [1]
Details[]
- Length: 56.95 ft
- Wingspan: 45 ft
- Wing Area: 402.5 ft (wings spread) 367.71 ft (wings swept)
- Maximum Speed: Mach 2.32 (1,553 mph) at altitude, Mach 1.14 (840 mph) at sea level
- Rate of Climb: 240m/s
Although the cockpit and nose remain the same as on other MiG 23's, most of what's behind it is very different. (Such as the wings and landing gear.) Known as the Model 23-01, this aircraft was found to be impractical, leading to development of the swing wing Model 23-11<ref name="WAIF F210 s01">World Aircraft Information Files Aviation Partwork. Midsummer Books Ltd. File 210 Sheet 1 (World Military Aircraft: MiG-23/27 'Flogger' - Development)
The design of the MiG-23